Hilary Statum
So… now that you are wondering what those three words are, I need to give you a bit of background information. I am a kindergarten teacher at Westwood Elementary and we are officially an Energy Bus School. My principal is very big on creating a positive environment for staff and students. According to their website, “The Energy Bus for Schools… Read More
This has been the craziest most exciting week for me! Besides the fact that school is back in session – which is always an exciting time, my video was featured in the TPT newsletter! It is easy for your resources to get lost in all of the amazing resources in TPT so the newsletter gives your product a chance to… Read More
Oh my heart! I have always dreamed of having daughters (SISTERS!!!) and a trip to the Cabbage Patch Babyland General Hospital in Cleveland, GA can make me want to weep at the fact that I have my little girls. 🙂 It really is a fun little outing for your kids and would be a “must-see” for our family so I… Read More
Hands up if you’re excited about the Great American Solar Eclipse – set to hit us August 2017??? I can’t wait! I realized that the eclipse would take place during the school day so after some good advice from a friend, I started working on a new TPT resource. It is JAM-PACKED with fun things including activities for your kids,… Read More
So… we’ve been busy this summer sorting out Aniston’s eye issues. My mom asked me one day if I had noticed one of Aniston’s eyes turning in and that she often stood very close to the tv. Major mom guilt moment: I had NOT noticed that! I will say that we hardly ever turn on the tv while the kids… Read More
Aniston turned 3 in March and I’ve been meaning to share her birthday details with you. I LOVE planning parties for my two girls. I had so much fun with her “Some Bunny is One” party which you can find by clicking here: Some Bunny is One – Aniston’s First Birthday Party Decor and Easter Craft Ideas Her 2nd… Read More
A favorite end of the year tradition! (We use the big @melissaanddougtoys paper that has a blank head with many skin tones.) The kids choose one adult in the building to write a thank you note to and draw a picture of his or her face using this special paper.
I let them “visit” the person first so my little artists get a good look of how their hair is fixed, jewelry, etc.
We hang them in the hall for a couple of weeks and as you can imagine they attract a lot of attention as everyone gets a kick out of how the little ones see them.
Later the kids hand deliver them with a hug and tell that person thank you for all they’ve done. I’ve been doing this for years and lots of adults save them. Our librarian has them all laminated and hanging like a border in her office. I always get asked if we are still doing them as everyone anticipates seeing them. Such an easy fun way for the kids to practice writing and learn about being grateful!
The most adorable door you’ve ever seen!
I’ve been saving each of the letters my daughter brings home from preschool to surprise her by posting them all at once on a door in my classroom. Her extremely creative teacher helped her remake the ones I misplaced and now the alphabet is complete.
Aniston and I are beside ourselves with joy that she will be in my kindergarten classroom next year. This is a dream we have both had for many years. I think it will be so much fun for her to see this door when she is sitting in my classroom as a kindergartener and it will bring back all kinds of sweet preschool memories!❤️
Fact - any craft with construction paper hairstyles is a million times cuter and more engaging for students!
This craftivity is perfect for end of the year. It’s really adorable in the hallway. There are lots of writing templates to choose from included like “My Future is so Bright I Need Shades” or “Sunshine and Summertime”. The kids draw summer plans or what they want to be on the sunglass lens. A bonus is that you can use them during BTS time to reflect on their summer breaks.
My kids love writing about their future plans and I’m telling you that they really love creating hairstyles! Follow link in profile to grab it.
OPEN 📚 OPEN MINDS!
I just LOVED this banner I found at a little boutique on a recent girls weekend getaway but you should have seen me trying to decide between all of the sayings!🤷🏽♀️
The letters are made from recycled book pages and I think it’s a genius idea!
What saying would you come up with? I think this would be fairly easy to replicate for your classroom and it’s super adorable! 👩🏽🏫
How do you handle listening to your kids read? We LOVE this routine.
1 student is a "teacher" and 3 others place chairs in a straight line facing towards the teacher. If the child reads the book perfectly the "teacher" puts a sticker on the book and sends them to me for a double check.☺️
If they aren't ready yet my little teachers tell them they need more practice. That student heads to the back and each student scoots up a chair until it is their turn.
Every student practices reading the whole time they are sitting. I usually have 3 lines going at once and it works seamlessly! We switch out my little teachers daily. They love both roles and ask me if they can do that "teacher reading thing" all the time!
The best part is I have a couple of students in a line waiting to read to me instead of 20! #classroommanagement #reading #ela